Simplifying Recruitment from LinkedIn to Google Sheets with Make.com

Imagine a scenario where you can seamlessly connect with potential candidates, gather CVs from multiple sources, and manage your recruitment pipeline with ease. In this blog, I'll unveil the ingenious solution that not only bridges the gap between LinkedIn Recruitment Lite and other job posting websites but also simplifies the entire process using readily available tools. From Make.com's mailhook feature to the power of Google Sheets, I'll walk you through each step of streamlining your recruitment efforts. So, if you're curious about how automation can transform your HR processes and save you valuable time, read on till the end. 

Connecting Make.com to LinkedIn Recruitment Lite

In my situation, I faced the challenge of needing to post job openings on LinkedIn to reach a wider pool of candidates. However, I encountered a hurdle – LinkedIn's lack of an API, and LinkedIn Recruitment Lite requiring a higher plan to invite colleagues to join the platform. This left me searching for a solution to efficiently share CVs across our team and consolidate all CVs into our company database.

Make.com offered a solution. While it also lacked an API to directly connect to LinkedIn Recruitment, it had a mailhook feature that became my lifesaver. Here's how it works: I created a new email address within Make.com and had LinkedIn send notification emails to this address. Then, I set up a scenario in Make.com to download CVs to Google Drive, parse the email content to extract candidate information, write this information to a Google Sheet, and forward the email to my colleagues. The beauty of it? It runs automatically, ensuring a smooth and seamless process.

Expanding CV Collection to Job Posting Websites

It wasn't just LinkedIn; other job listing websites in my country didn't support APIs either. However, the method I implemented with Make.com for LinkedIn worked like a charm for these platforms as well. It enabled us to gather CVs from various sources and centralize them efficiently.

Managing the Recruitment Process with Google Sheets and Preparing for the Transition

With CVs pouring in from multiple sources, Google Sheets emerged as our trusted ally. It provided a centralized hub to collect all CVs in one place. Moreover, I created a separate sheet specifically for potential candidates. This sheet housed detailed information about candidates, including columns to track their progress throughout the interview and onboarding processes. This not only helped manage new candidates but also provided a means to engage with past candidates, inviting them to apply for new positions as they became available.

However, Google Sheets has its limitations, particularly when it comes to complex logic and establishing relationships between tables. My long-term vision includes developing a mini HRM (Human Resource Management) solution for our company, and this calls for a more robust no-code database management tool. As we move forward, I'll explore alternatives like AppSheet or Airtable to better meet our evolving needs.

If you found this blog post insightful, I encourage you to check back frequently for updates on our HR technology journey. Have questions or insights of your own? Don't hesitate to ask or share in the comments section below. Together, we can navigate the ever-evolving landscape of recruitment and HR automation.